RB McFadden working out, WR Ford on the mend

Running back Darren McFadden was spotted on the practice field this morning, working out under the guidance of a team trainer. He hasn’t been seen on the field since he suffered a midfoot sprain to his right foot Oct. 23.
McFadden walked around the perimeter of the near field, without a protective boot on and with no obvious sign of a limp. It wasn’t much but it has to pass as progress.
At this rate, it’s likely that the Raiders are targeting the Green Bay Packers game Dec. 11 as the projected return for McFadden.
Coach Hue Jackson has to feel pretty confident that his team can handle the Miami Dolphins without McFadden and given how well Michael Bush has played the past five games.
Bush has amassed 520 yards rushing in the five games McFadden missed all or part of — McFadden rushed two times for 4 yards in the game he got hurt and showed that he is capable of carrying the workload.
The lone potential downside to bringing back McFadden for the Packers game is the weather in Green Bay that time of year.
According to weather.com, the average temperature in Green Bay for Dec. 11 ranges from a low of 16 degrees to a high of 30. The all-time low is minus-17.
With that said, McFadden likely would be playing on a frozen field and in freezing conditions. Hey, at least he wouldn’t need a pain-killing shot, eh?

FORD ON HIS WAY BACK
Wide receiver Jacoby Ford said Monday that he is hopeful of returning to practice Thursday, though he isn’t sure if his sprained left foot will be healed enough for him to play Sunday.
“It’s kind of week-by-week, day-by-day,” Ford said. “That’s just kind of how we’re taking it. Slow process, but it’s getting there. It’s definitely getting better.”
Ford suffered his injury at the end of a long reception against the San Diego Chargers on Nov. 10. He has not practiced since that time.
Fortunately for the Raiders and Ford, the injury doesn’t appear to be as bad as the one suffered by McFadden.
“It wasn’t as severe as Darren’s,” Ford said. “I don’t think it was as bad as his. He kind of sprained the whole thing and mine is just in one spot.”
Ford said he took great delight in watching the exploits of punter Shane Lechler and kicker Sebastian Janikowski against the Bears.
Janikowski kicking a franchise-record six field goals and Lechler booming an 80-yard punt made them the center of attention in the locker room afterward. Literally.
“The atmosphere of the locker room was great,” Ford said. “They got a ‘thank you’ from the team, and Shane spoke to us. SeaBass doesn’t speak, definitely doesn’t speak at all. They asked him if he wanted to speak and he was like ‘nah.’ But he came to the middle and broke it down with us.”
As a kick returner, Ford has a great appreciation for the value of special teams. He said he gained an even greater appreciation for the value of Lechler and Janikowski by watching them Sunday.
“It makes you appreciate them,” Ford said. “If you didn’t appreciate them, that made you appreciate them more. But I appreciate them anyway.”

VELDHEER STRUGGLES
Left offensive tackle Jared Veldheer played so well against Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen that it was assumed he would hold his own against Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers.
As it turned out, Peppers notched two sacks against Veldheer and got the better of the second-year Veldheer. A holding penalty also went against Veldheer.

RAIDERS-PACKERS GAME MOVED
The Raiders-Packers game was flexed Monday, with the game time being moved from 10 a.m. PDT to 1:15 p.m. The network that has the rights to the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys game that day opted to leave it in place, for obvious reasons.

LECHLER’S BEST PUNT
Lechler set a franchise mark with the 80-yard punt early in the fourth quarter Sunday. Afterward, he singled out a punt against the Tennessee Titans a few years back and another one against the 49ers as some of his better punts during a 12-year NFL career.
For my money, I’ll take one he kicked Aug. 7, 2009, in training camp in Napa. From his own end zone, Lechler launched a punt that sailed 75 yards in the air, well over returner Justin Miller’s head, bounced a couple of times and came to rest 108 yards away from Lechler’s foot.
For accuracy’s sake, I met with Lechler afterward to determine where he kicked it from. In fairness, there was a strong wind at Lechler’s back that day, and the ball took a couple of favorable bounces. Still, 108 yards is 108 yards.

GIORDANO TAKES ONE ON CHIN
Ever wonder what it’s like waiting for an on-side kick to come down, as a gaggle of defenders are bearing down on you, looking to separate you from the ball, knowing full well that the outcome of the game hinges upon whether you hold on to the ball?
For that, we went to Raiders safety Matt Giordano, who found himself in just that predicament near the end of Sunday’s game.
“The saying, ‘Take one for the team’ comes to mind,” Giordano said. “You got to do it for the team. That’s why we’re out there.”
The ball kicked by Robbie Gould and a Bears defender arrived at the same time, just as Giordano attempted to secure the ball, as well as the Raiders’ 25-20 lead.
Giordano got his hands on the ball, but he didn’t have any time to bring it toward his body, where he could protect it and brace himself for the vicious hit.
The ball popped out, went behind Giordano and on the ground. Raiders rookie David Ausberry recovered the loose ball and preserved the victory.
“That was a great kick,” Giordano said. “That was great execution by their part. … This one was right at me, so I had to step up and try to make a play. It was a perfect kick, a perfect execution by them. I’m glad we got the ball, though.”
Being in that situation is feast or famine, Giordano said. He is accustomed to making his living laying licks on offensive players and on special teams. This was the one time where he was the hunted.
“That’s what being a professional is all about,” Giordano said. “You got to understand that, sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you. The Chicago Bears, we played the Chicago Bears yesterday. I got hit on that one.”

SEYMOUR MAKING PROGRESS
Raiders defensive tackle Richard Seymour hasn’t practiced in more than two weeks, and he has been limited in the past two games.
Still, he said Monday, his injured knee is getting better just in time for the stretch run.
“Health is moving in the right direction, so I’m a lot better than I have been the previous couple of weeks,” Seymour said. “I’m doing everything I can in the training room. The training staff and strength and conditioning coaches have been awesome, so that’s been good.”
Seymour is accustomed to being in the playoff hunt from his years with the New England Patriots. He said he and his teammates are relishing their being in the thick of the playoffs picture this late in the season.
“Seize the opportunity,” Seymour said. “You would rather play in games like this where every play is meaningful rather than a game where the stands aren’t filled. It’s so much more fun for everybody. It’s a game that we’re playing. It’s not life or death. It’s a game that we go out and play, and you want it to be in crucial situations. The bigger the game, the more exciting and more fun it is.”

Im still waiting to see Reece and McFadden on the field at the same time!

inonewordraider

No Mas Diamante Says:
November 28th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Team’s getting heathly just in time for the home stretch.
God i would love to beat Green bay just to shut up the wagging toungues on BSPN. Those guys make me wanna puke.

________________
everytime they look at the upcoming schedule some say det is the game they lose or some say nyg but i haven’t heard anyone say we beat them, I love it

No Mas Diamante

Having a FB like Tonga will come in very useful on the frozen tundra if McFadden does indeed return.

R8ER MIKE

gotta love all the football chat in this blog !!!seems like everybody has a agenda with somebody.
lets get bact to the RAIDERS now shall we !!

VanHeathen

How about McFadden and Palmer on the field at the same time? too much to think about…
Was there any word on Denarious’s injury today?

Silverandblack666

Just go from this rocking party boat cruise! Should have seen the babes. Too bad about the Chargers man. Norv has got to go. I still have hope that we can run the table and win the division. For those of you who dont know, check out my band, dive bomber!

Silverandblack666

Nice post troll!

Raider-in-PA

408RAIDER Says:
November 28th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Im still waiting to see Reece and McFadden on the field at the same time!
_____________________

Along with Moore and Ford!!! Can you say ‘weapons’ boys and girls??

hwnrdr

13.408RAIDER Says:
November 28th, 2011 at 1:28 pm
Im still waiting to see Reece and McFadden on the field at the same time!

408…whats up man?

autopalm77

DMoore will be good to go for week 13, barring any setback from today……As a precaution he was held out of week 12 action…

raiderinparadise

Wow, sometimes I kinda forget what its like to have an elite QB on the raiders…. its only been years !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

the o-line had a rough game, Satele’s play has dipped from the beginning of the year … imo its injury issues. Carlisle is our worst linemen by far. he does just enough to keep his job … I would rather throw Heyer at RG? not sure, but the line might change at some point.
either way been a great overall season for the crew.

joker94583

Trade McFragile for some picks we don’t need a RB for half a season. Oobviously we can win without him. He’s soft. The Raiders need some picks before the 4th round. A new D coord would be nice too.

ddsman

Whenever I read a “Method to My Fa gness” or “Master Bit cheem” post, it makes me thankful for my college education and the ability to be both articulate and interesting.

UCSBPreMedMike

Knew Hue was saving his pieces for the biggest game this year! Maybe get them warmed up in Miami, but give the underrepresented time to continue to develop against Miami. Hopefully, we don’t overlook them like we did KC and Den

UCSBPreMedMike

RAIDERS-PACKERS GAME MOVED
The Raiders-Packers game was flexed Monday, with the game time being moved from 10 a.m. PDT to 1:15 p.m. The network that has the rights to the New York Giants-Dallas Cowboys game that day opted to leave it in place, for obvious reasons.

OBvious!

UCSBPreMedMike

“That’s what being a professional is all about,” Giordano said. “You got to understand that, sometimes you get the bear and sometimes the bear gets you. The Chicago Bears, we played the Chicago Bears yesterday. I got hit on that one.”

“I got hit” is an understatement.

Although, I thought hands to the face should have been called, but I remembered we’re the Raiders.

qodrn

How is the MUP list going?

qodrn

Re: Flexing the game.

Goody. Let’s play the game late in the day in the more freezing weather. Isn’t Green Bay enough as it is?

I hope they get a lightning storm and have to play the thing at 3AM on Tuesday.

mikedlopes

You guys suggesting we trade McFadden need to get your minds right. The injuries this year have been outstanding, but this is part of the NFL. Especially at RB position

McFadden is the most versatile offense player we have, he is the soul of our offense. He is a game changer, causes headaches for defenses, and has put us on his back when he is healthy. E.g. Jacksonville game

We haven’t even utilized this guy fully all 4 quarters, we’ve yet to see the best of this kid and I’m not about to let this guy go out to another team only to r@pe our defense single handedly. In return for some picks? A gamble on getting some talent that could be wasted

We know what we have with McFadden! Why you talking about trading DMC for some scrubs that wanna be like him. This guy would roll our defense all day if we played against him. Bush is solid, don’t get me wrong. But our offense right now with a healthy DMC, Palmer, Moore, Ford, DHB, Reece, Boss/Myers.. How do you contain all that talent.. Everyone of those guys could rip a defense for yardage

Trade McFadden??? Why??? Why do people keep saying that??? That dude is a beast! He runs hard and finishes runs… A game changer! Corners and safeties are afraid to tackle him because they don’t wanna get blasted and ran over. Him and Adrienne Peterson are probly the 2 most hardest runners in the game. They’re running styles causes them to miss a few games a season. It is what is is. It’s the rb position… That’s the nature of the beast. I’d rather have McFadden for 75% of the season than not have him at all. You don’t trade away sure talent like that for dreams and wishes that may never pan out. The Raiders should try to sign Bush but if it’s not a possibility, ay, it is what it is. The dude deserves his pay day. Solid RB”s aren’t that hard to find… But rb’s like McFadden are special. Why get rid of that?

ArtilleryShell

You don’t trade star players in their prime for unknowns and why imagine if we would have kept Woodson and Asomugha with Routt outside and Charles roaming our record would be 8-3 see Buffalo game and maybe swept the Broncos

ArtilleryShell

You’re right bstallion

joetoronto

Hey guys, I need a little advice, please.

I want to buy a couple of jerseys online, one for me and one for my little guy.

He went on nflshop.com and he found what we want, but by the time they get here with all the additional costs, it came out to almost $300.00

Does anybody know of somewhere else that might have better prices and ship to Canada?